What a difference a week makes! If you stopped by our home last weekend, you would have found me glued to the couch with a baby on my lap. Conrad was feeling so so sick. He ran a fever for four days straight and vomited at least once a day for a full week--up through Friday! It was concerning enough to me that I took him to see the doctor. He was basically surviving on breast milk. (So much for weaning this month. I'm not sorry.) Both Jed and Levi got sick as well, but bounced back fast. Even I felt a little off one day. Something was definitely going around. I didn't mind slowing down and enjoying all the extra snuggles. In fact, it was necessary. But it was sure good to see Conrad's appetite suddenly pick back up yesterday. Whew. I am glad to have that week behind us and to all be healthy again!
Before I launch into explaining our family adventure, I need to mention a much smaller and yet equally exciting--to me--adventure that occurred yesterday morning. I was recently asked to volunteer my time helping with the local youth orchestras. They meet every Saturday for two months every Fall and every Winter. I agreed and showed up for the first time yesterday morning. Upon arrival, the conductor of the Beginning and Intermediate Orchestras had to leave; she was so sick she could barely stand on her feet. Could I fill in for her? I hesitated. I took a conducting class in college but had zero experience conducting anything. I said I'd give it a shot.
You guys! To my enormous surprise, I CAN CONDUCT. And not just wave my arms. I mean, I can actually conduct. Given, the music wasn't anything too complicated and I know there's lots of room for personal growth, but it was my very first time standing in front of a group of instruments as their leader and the whole experience came amazingly natural to me. I felt like I was in my element! I read the scores without trouble. We stopped to work on difficult passages. We made progress. And it was fun! I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise to me. I've spent literally weeks of my life sitting in a little black chair playing my violin in various orchestras and symphonies. The thing is, I didn't expect to like being on the other side of the music stand. Now I realize I wouldn't mind taking on the responsibility of conducting these young kids and contributing to their musical growth. In fact, it would be a great honor that would give me the happy giggles. Talk about a natural high! I just discovered an ability I had no idea I had!!!
